CD Reviews

Underated beyond belief!

Jazz | North Bay, Ontario | 04/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Trust me on this one folks... if you love down to earth, foot stomping, feel good rock and roll, get this album. Anyone that loves Takin Care of Business or Roll on Down The Highway will think those tunes were just afterthoughts. This is the real deal. You want energy?... you want power?... you wanna boogie???...then by all means...get this album! This is what BTO is all about. This is what got people to sit up and take notice, however, they were forced to produce album number 2 before this one even had the chance of being heard. Being a fan of BTO in the early 70's, I can't help but realize that these guys seemed to get shoved waaaayyyy to quickly towards stuff like "Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" and "Hey You". To really appreciate what these guys were all about you have to get this album. Trust me, it stands the test of time. In today's world of tecno-pop and all the other garbage that gets shoved down our throats, here is an album that will refresh your memory as to what good ole fashioned, raw, full-bodied rock'n roll is all about. For anyone that goes out and buys a new sports car... or just wants to drive down the road carefree for awhile...pop this album on for the duration. I promise...you'll come back from that drive feeling rejuvenated. BTO at their best...I knew it then when I was 14...and still know it now at 43! Songs that stand out on the album...Gimme Your Money Please... Hold Back The Water...Little Gandy Dancer...Stayed Awake All Night... Don't Get Yourself In Trouble...Down and Out Man... I haven't even mentioned "Blue Collar", which was the hit from the album! These guys will be back!!! On a side note... it was said that John Bonham of Led Zeppelin was a "banger" as a drummer. Funny thing is he was and still is considered one of the best all time rock drummers. All I have to say is, that if you like "bangin" and deep, tight, strong sounding drums, then lemme tell ya Robbie Bachman delivers 100% in the same manner on this outing! Go get it!"

The first was the best

Mark R. Van Wagenen | Elgin, Illinois USA | 12/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some bands need time to get up to stride; others come up with their best stuff when they still toiled in relative obscurity. BTO fits in the latter. Their first album is easily their best, starting off right away with "Gimme Your Money Please", a tune sure to please with the heavy guitar riffs and snarling vocals of C F Turner. That's followed by "Hold Back the Water", which was the flip side of the single "Blue Collar", which is also great. You may remember "Blue Collar" as a bluesy tune; unfortunately the band never explored that side of their music much, because this track works. Other good tracks include "Stayed Awake All Night" and "Down and Out Man", a rare vocal by early member Tim Bachman. Commercial success probably led them to go down the safe and easy path with subsequent releases, although their fourth album "Four Wheel Drive" rebounds a bit before the band personnel changed and BTO plummeted. This album and "Four Wheel Drive" are the ones you want. If you're a fan, the other albums work, too. But this is their best one, hands down."

Music that never goes away

Rustmanic | Albany, OR United States | 10/02/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"BTO does one of the best jobs of using the rock guitar to its potential of any group in history. They also mix it with melodic arrangements, and the result is several all-time gems. This album and 'Head On' are must rock albums. One of my five favorite bands ever, I'd buy anything with BTO or Randy Bachman on the label."

A great album from a great band...

Ed Williams | 11/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is BTO's first album, originally released back in 1972. The cuts are outstanding - "Blue Collar" and "Hold Back the Water" alone are worth the price of admission here. Buy this to understand why BTO became what they were, and why, simply, they are the best damn band in the world."

The Gears Start Turning

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 10/14/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A great hard rock record from three Bachman brothers {Randy,Tim & Rob} and C.F. Turner, set the tone for many more that were to follow. Eight songs, good riffs, gruff vocals and guitars, guitars and more guitars.

Three years after leaving The Guess Who, Randy at last had all the ingredients for success, great songs that are not too bluesy, great rhythms underline everything, simple lead lines that make their point and then vanish. Nothing here is over-produced by Randy, he wasn't going to make the same mistakes of his past. This music doesn't need glitter or snakes to be performed, just four guys, their gear, a few flannel shirts and a station wagon.

"Gimme Your Money Please" translates to please buy our record, and the tone of this album is set. Here they are, this is what it is. "Blue Collar" slows down the pace and allows Randy to throw in some jazz licks. Other than that, it's foot-stompin' rock like: "Little Gandy Dancer", "Hold Back The Water", "Stayed Awake All Night" & "Down And Out Man". Tim Bachman's tune: "Don't Get Yourself In Trouble" is the heaviest selection here, and Tim's best track on any BTO Album. This is my favorite cut on this Record, the guitars are stinging and the riff is relentless and powerful, this is great hard rock.

The closer is called: "Thank You For The Feelin', the band hopes you have enjoyed their record, and says they will be seeing you later {in a few months BTO II will be released.}

Bachman-Turner Overdrive promoted this record by performing ton's of live shows to win an audience. This tactic, did indeed pay-off, as the steady touring gained the band's reputation as a workingman's band thst never let their fan's down. Many more records followed this, and numerous tours would promote those records. BTO sold millions of records and still has millions of fans that love their music. This one called: "Bachman-Turner Overdrive" is where the journey of one of the seventies best band's begins.Four Stars !!!"